Job Description

GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE

MINISTRY OF HEALTH 

INTEGRATED HEALTH PROJECTS ADMINISTRATION UNIT (IHPAU)

23 Cantonment Road, Off King Harman Road, Freetown

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Position: Project Manager – Pharma Grade Warehouse Construction 
Location: Kerry Town 
Duration: 27 Months  
Reporting To: The Core Oversight Team through the Chief Medical Officer (doted reporting  line to the Chair of the Steering Committee-SC) 

Start Date: 17th March 2025  

1. Background

The Ministry of Health (MoH) is determined to strengthen its national supply chain infrastructure by constructing a pharma grade warehouse that meets international standards for pharmaceutical storage. This project is critical to ensure the quality, safety, and effectiveness of medicines and medical supplies distributed across the country. 

The Project Manager will oversee and report progress of the construction project, ensuring timely delivery, adherence to quality standards, and alignment with budgetary provisions. 

2. Objective

The Ministry of Health will recruit a Project Manager who will regularly facilitate all components of the warehouse construction projects, with the objective of directly reaching out to key decision makers of government and donor partners. The position will also serve as the secretary to the core oversight team (COT) constituted by the Ministry of Health.  

3. Key Responsibilities

Project Planning and Management 

• Assist in developing and managing the project plan: Assist the Project Management Firm (PMF) in areas requested by the firm during the development of a comprehensive project plan that defines the scope, schedule, budget, and key milestones. This will be the roadmap guiding all project activities. 

• Develop project management plan for core oversight team.   

• Plan and monitor the relevant planning for the overall MOH oversight mechanism. 

• Disseminate to all stakeholders their roles and responsibilities in implementing the project plan – ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned on goals. 

• Reporting results/progress: provide regular updates to key stakeholders, including progress reports and status updates by ensuring transparency at every stage.  

• Transfer knowledge to relevant Ministry of Health staff.  

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination 

• Liaise with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, NMSA, project management firm, contractors, donors, and regulatory bodies. 

• Convene regular meetings to update stakeholders on progress, challenges, and required actions. 

• Ensure compliance with regulatory and donor requirements. 

Monitoring  

• Coordinate with the project management firm to facilitate joint field visits by stakeholders.  

• Monitor and report status of key actions agreed during stakeholder collaboration meetings. 

• Conduct regular site inspections to monitor progress, identify risks, and resolve issues in a collaborative manner. 

Risk Management 

• Develop and regularly update a risk mitigation action plan. 

• Promptly report project challenges to MoH and Global Fund Country Team to avoid delays. 

Reporting 

• Prepare and submit monthly progress reports to the Ministry of Health through Core Oversight Team (COT). 

• Deliver comprehensive project closure reports, including lessons learned. 

4. Qualifications and Experience

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in Project Management, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or related field. 

• A master’s degree or professional certification is an advantage. 

Experience 

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in managing large-scale construction projects, preferably in the healthcare or pharmaceutical sector. 

• Proven experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and working with international and local stakeholders. 

• Relevant experience understanding and coordinating within the local landscape.  

Skills and Competencies 

• Ability to contact and access key stakeholders for critical decisions/actions. 

• Strong project management and organizational skills. 

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Proficiency in project management software and tools. 

• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities. 

• Familiarity with environmental, health, and safety standards in construction 

5. Deliverables

• Submission of updated monthly risk mitigation action plan. 
• Submission of monthly progress reports with acceptable quality by the COT and the SC. 
• Submission of final project completion report, including lessons learned and recommendations for future projects. 

To apply for this position, Interested candidates should submit their application (a mandatory cover letter outlining their qualifications and experience, detailed CV with at least 3 references and copies of relevant academic and professional certificates) to the following email address: recruitment@mohsihpau.gov.sl by: 4:00 pm Local Time, Monday, 23rd December 2024. 

 IMPORTANT NOTE: Only email applications sent to the above email address will be included in the pool of applicants to be assessed by MoH. No hand deliveries will be accepted. Please also note that your CV should contain your full contact details such as residence address, working mobile telephone number, working email address, as well as those of your three referees.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and selected candidates will be required to sign a contractual agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health.